Not the Onion: Matt Birk wants to be a model [PHOTO]

As Matt Birk did the media rounds and blasted Obamacare a few months ago, many observers of Minnesota politics thought the newly retired NFL offensive lineman might end up being the Republican challenger to Sen. Al Franken in 2014.

We suppose that could still happen. But in the meantime Birk has gotten into... modeling?

Indeed. Just months removed from playing in the Super Bowl, Birk has lost 75 pounds and 10 inches from his waist. He's competing against a few other folks to become the next Body By Visalus Model (you can vote for him here).

"I wasn't going to go to Chipotle and get two burrito bowls at 9:30 at night anymore," he joked, adding that he used Visalus fitness program to slim down quickly starting in March.

"All I knew was being big. Now I'm not so big and I'm loving it," Birk, who isn't a paid endorser, told the Ravens website. "I think I've really developed a lifestyle that I can sustain now. I feel great physically, and I've got tons of energy. It really has changed my life that I used to know."

One thing's for certain: Now that he's the size of a wide receiver, we can rule out an NFL return for the 37-year-old Birk.